Iran sees fresh US attack as realistic possibility before elections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Iran's military says a US attack before American congressional elections in November remains a realistic possibility.

A spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the Tehran Times that US attacks before November 3 congressional elections remain a 'realistic possibility', claiming the Trump administration needs to demonstrate a success before the midterms. Iran said it is prepared for such a scenario.

Trump denied on Thursday that he intended to attack Iran before the elections, and the US administration said it was holding 'constructive talks' with Iranian authorities. Iran's leadership has pointed instead to previous attacks that occurred while negotiations with the United States were under way. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of a new large-scale military campaign against Iran last week, according to US outlet Axios.

Netanyahu told Israeli military radio that a military confrontation would be inconvenient for Israel at present, but warned Iran against attacking Israel, saying it would face an 'unimaginable response'. The US and Israel began their war against Iran on 28 February. The conflict remains unresolved and negotiations have been deadlocked for months.

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said a cargo ship sank after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first time Iranian authorities reported a ship sinking from a mine during the war. Shipping officials said two Singapore-registered cargo vessels had been hit by 'unknown projectiles' as they passed through the strait on Tuesday and Wednesday.

How it is being reported

• Iran views new US attack as 'realistic possibility'Iran's military forces consider a new attack by the United States a "realistic possibility," a spokesman says.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 18:11
• Iran views new US attack as 'realistic possibility'Iran's military forces consider a new attack by the United States a "realistic possibility," a spokesman says.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 18:11

In this story: Iran · United States · Donald Trump · Benjamin Netanyahu · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Israel

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